The Power of Love (Sam Bailey album)

The Power of Love is the debut studio album by English singer Sam Bailey, the winner of the tenth series of The X Factor. It is largely an album of cover versions with the exception of one original song, "Treasure". The album was released on 21 March 2014 via Syco Music and Sony Music.[2]

The Power of Love
Studio album by
Sam Bailey
Released21 March 2014 (2014-03-21)
Recorded2013–14
Genre
Length41:34
Label
Producer
Sam Bailey chronology
The Power of Love
(2014)		 Sing My Heart Out
(2016)
Singles from The Power of Love
  1. "Skyscraper"
    Released: 15 December 2013
  2. "Compass"
    Released: 16 March 2014

The album received an overall mixed reception, with some praising Bailey's vocal ability but criticising the lack of original content and questioning her oversinging on certain songs.

A new version of the album, subtitled The Gift Edition, was released on 1 December 2014.

Background

After winning the tenth series of The X Factor on 15 December 2013, Bailey signed a joint record deal with Syco Music and Sony Music.[3] She also released a cover of Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper" as her winner's single on 16 December.[4] On The Xtra Factor after the final results show, judge Gary Barlow said that he would like to write songs for Bailey.[5] In an interview with the Official Charts Company, Bailey said that she wanted to release her debut album in spring 2014,[6] which, with a gap of just three months, would make it 'the fastest album in X Factor history'[7] (although Nicholas McDonald, who was the runner-up to Bailey, ended up releasing his debut album a week earlier than Bailey making that the fastest album in X Factor history).[8]

The album was recorded in London in January 2014.[9] On 21 January, Bailey tweeted that her debut album would be called The Power of Love.[10] On 22 January, Bailey appeared at the 19th National Television Awards and sang the album's title track, "The Power of Love".[11] She also performed a duet of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with Michael Bolton.[11] During an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show on 24 January, Bailey announced that she had finished recording The Power of Love earlier that day.[12] On 4 March, a sampler of the album was released on Bailey's official YouTube channel.[13]

Composition

In an interview with Digital Spy, Bailey said "I wanted to do some [cover versions]. It wasn't just them telling me what to do - there were a lot ideas passed across the table. I didn't want to cover any songs by artists that are around at the moment or are current in the charts because I don't think that's right. I wanted to do songs that were inspirational to me back in the day and close to my heart, particularly with my dad..."[14] One of the songs, Supertramp's "Lord Is It Mine", was chosen in memory of Sam's father, Ronnie, who died from cancer in 2008. "It was played at my dad's funeral," she said. "It was his favourite song and I've always wanted to sing it. When I recorded it, I was literally sobbing – I had to turn my microphone around so nobody could see me and shut the curtains."[15]

It had previously been reported that Bailey and Bolton may record a duet for the album.[11] During The X Factor, Bolton extended his UK trip in order to meet her and said he would work with her "in a heartbeat" and would "love to duet" with her.[16] On 29 January, the duo released pictures of themselves recording a duet of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", and this will be included on the album.[17] Bolton said, "The only thing more important than a great instrument is the ability to put your heart into that instrument. That's what resonates with people, that's what moves human beings and she has that combination."[17] Another duet on the album is "And I Am Telling You" with Nicole Scherzinger, which Bailey originally performed on the X Factor final.[18]

Singles

On 16 December 2013, the day after she won The X Factor, Bailey released a cover of Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper" as her winner's single.[4] On 22 December, the song debuted atop the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 149,000 copies, becoming the Christmas number one.[19] On 30 December, the Official Charts Company revealed that "Skyscraper" was the fifth fastest-selling single of 2013.[20]

On 18 February 2014, the song "Compass" received its debut airplay on BBC Radio 2.[18] The song was previously released in 2010 by classical singers Mark Vincent and Didrik Solli-Tangen. It was released as the second and final single the album on 16 March 2014.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Female First[21]
The Independent[22]
Scunthorpe Telegraph[23]
Virgin Media[24]

The album received a mixed reception from critics. Daniel Falconer of Female First gave it 2 stars out of 5. Referring to a duet with Nicole Scherzinger (And I Am Telling You), he wrote: "Unfortunately for Sam, [Scherzinger] manages to bring herself to the forefront as she takes the best lines and shows that her ability is a much more honed one. Granted, she's been in the business for quite some time now, but Sam should have put her foot down."[21] In an extremely negative review, Virgin Media's Ian Gittins gave the album 1/5 and called it "the worst album made by an X Factor winner to date."[24]

In a positive review, the Scunthorpe Telegraph wrote, "Obviously cashing in on her success of winning X-Factor Sam’s debut album is a commendable effort. But some of her choices have been flogged to death. The ex-prison warder is strong however on emotion and that could make this a best-seller. Her duet with Michael Bolton on Ain’t No Mountain High Enough is the stand-out track."[23]

Commercial performance

On 27 March 2014, the album debuted at number two on the Irish Albums Chart. On 30 March, it went in at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making Bailey the first X Factor winner to have a number one album since Alexandra Burke topped the chart with her debut album Overcome in October 2009.[25] The album sold 72,644 copies in its first week, making it (at the time) the fastest-selling album of 2014 in the UK,[26] the second fastest-selling female solo album, behind Taylor Swift's 1989, and the 41st best-selling album overall.[27] The album has sold 165,711 copies in the UK as of November 2015.[28]

Track listing
  • All tracks produced by Graham Stack and Matt Furmidge, except "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (produced by Stack, Furmidge, Ray Hedges, and Nigel Butler). All vocal production by David Quiñones.[29]
The Power of Love – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artist(s)Length
1."The Power of Love"
Jennifer Rush4:06
2."From This Moment On"
Shania Twain3:30
3."There You'll Be"Diane WarrenFaith Hill3:37
4."And I Am Telling You" (duet with Nicole Scherzinger)
Jennifer Holliday (Dreamgirls)4:20
5."Compass"Diane WarrenMark Vincent3:32
6."Lord Is It Mine"
Supertramp3:54
7."Get Here"Brenda RussellBrenda Russell3:17
8."Treasure"
Sam Bailey4:07
9."Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (duet with Michael Bolton)
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell2:59
10."Superwoman"
Karyn White4:29
11."Skyscraper"
Demi Lovato3:43
The Power of Love – The Gift Edition[30]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artist(s)Length
8."Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (duet with Michael Bolton)
  • Nickolas Ashford
  • Valerie Simpson
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell2:59
9."Superwoman"
  • L.A. Reid
  • Babyface
  • Daryl Simmons
Karyn White4:29
10."Skyscraper"
  • Kerli Kõiv
  • Lindy Robbins
  • Toby Gad
Demi Lovato3:43
11."With You"
Caissie Levy (Ghost the Musical)4:08
12."Please Come Home for Christmas"
  • Charles Brown
  • Gene Redd
Charles Brown2:42
13."Treasure" (Christmas mix)
  • Ellis
  • Purcell
  • Ashurst
  • Stannard
Sam Bailey4:07
14."O Holy Night"
Traditional3:52
15."Silent Night"
Traditional2:27

Charts and certifications

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[34] Gold 168,118[28]

Release history
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Australia and Europe 21 March 2014
Standard
[35]
Ireland [36]
New Zealand [37]
Europe 24 March 2014 [2]
1 December 2014 The Gift Edition [30]

References
  1. "Sam Bailey | Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  2. "iTunes - Music - The Power of Love by Sam Bailey". iTunes Store UK (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  3. Mendoza, Nadia (17 December 2013). "Magic of the makeover! Sam Bailey unrecognisable in artsy debut single cover". Daily Star. Northern & Shell. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  4. Rigby, Sam (15 December 2013). "X Factor winner Sam Bailey's single release details revealed". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  5. Rigby, Sam (15 December 2013). "X Factor Gary Barlow: 'I'd love to write for Sam Bailey'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  6. Rigby, Sam (22 December 2013). "Sam Bailey on debut album: 'Hopefully it will be out in the spring'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  7. "Sam Bailey to release 'fastest album in X Factor history'". ITV News. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  8. "X Factor's Nicholas McDonald releases his first album; beats Steve Brookstein AND Sam Bailey, which is pretty LOL". Heat. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  9. Copsey, Robert (6 February 2014). "Sam Bailey talks life after X Factor: Simon Cowell, debut album, more". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  10. Bailey, Sam (21 January 2014). "Ok guys, so it's been decided that my debut album is going to be called "the power of love" Cant wait for you all to hear it x". Twitter. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  11. Morgan, Jeffery; Mansell, Tom (23 January 2014). "Sam Bailey to record duet with Michael Bolton for upcoming album?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  12. Drewett, Meg (23 January 2014). "X Factor's Sam Bailey announces debut album The Power of Love". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  13. "Sam Bailey Album Sampler". YouTube. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  14. Copsey, Robert (6 February 2014). "Sam Bailey talks life after X Factor: Simon Cowell, debut album, more". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  15. Duffin, Yasmin (24 February 2014). "X Factor winner Sam Bailey: 'Why I am proud of first album'". Leicester Mercury. Local World. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  16. Smith, Lydia (8 November 2013). "Michael Bolton reveals he wants to duet with X Factor contestant Sam Bailey". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  17. Copsey, Robert (29 January 2014). "Sam Bailey records debut album with Michael Bolton - pictures". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  18. Corner, Lewis (18 February 2014). "Sam Bailey premieres new single 'Compass' - listen". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  19. "Christmas number one: X Factor's Sam Bailey tops chart". BBC. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  20. Myers, Justin (30 December 2013). "2013 in review: Avicii scores fastest selling single of the year". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  21. Falconer, Daniel (23 March 2014). "Sam Bailey - 'The Power Of Love' - Album Review". Femalefirst.co.uk. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  22. Gill, Andy (19 March 2014). "Album reviews: Barb Jungr, Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey, Sam Bailey, The Hold Steady, Seun Kuti + Egypt 80, Jimi Goodwin - Reviews". The Independent. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  23. Cole, Nick (28 March 2014). "CD REVIEWS: The Very Best of Gareth Gates; Silver Rails - Jack Bruce; The Power of Love - Sam Bailey; Refugees - Embrace; Down Like Gold - Champs". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Local World. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  24. Gettings, Ian (24 March 2014). "Sam Bailey - The Power of Love Album Review". Virgin Media. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  25. Robertson, James (30 March 2014). "5SOS score number one single while Sam Bailey tops UK album charts". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  26. Goodacre, Kate (30 March 2014). "Sam Bailey tops album chart on Mother's Day with The Power of Love". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  27. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  28. Jones, Alan (23 September 2016). "Official Charts Analysis: Bastille hold on to albums chart top spot". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  29. "The Power of Love". Qobuz. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  30. "iTunes - Music - The Power of Love (The Gift Edition) by Sam Bailey". iTunes.
  31. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 13, 2014". Chart-Track. IRMA.
  32. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  33. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  34. "British album certifications – Sam Bailey – The Power of Love". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type The Power of Love in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  35. "iTunes - Music - The Power of Love by Sam Bailey". iTunes Store AUS (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  36. "iTunes - Music - The Power of Love by Sam Bailey". iTunes Store IRE (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  37. "iTunes - Music - The Power of Love by Sam Bailey". iTunes Store NZ (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 4 February 2014.
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